What You Should Know about Your Oil Tank

April 7, 2016

Each winter, you’re reminded about the importance of maintaining your burner and boiler or furnace. It’s time to take a closer look at another essential component of your home heating equipment: your fuel storage tank.

Greater safety, comfort, savings, and even property value are excellent reasons to make sure your complete home heating system is consistently up to date. Often not evaluated during an annual tune-up, your fuel tank can compromise these benefits if it is not properly maintained along with the rest of your system. How can this affect you? Have no fear: there are local laws in place to help residents all over the Cape stay on top of fuel tank safety.

Cape Cod Area Bylaws

Are you aware of your town’s fuel storage tank regulations? These have been put in place to help prevent contamination in our area’s groundwater and soil. Local officials have noted that leaking underground storage tanks pose a threat to Cape Cod’s water supply; this makes it crucial for homeowners and business owners to monitor their fuel tanks.

BE IN THE KNOW:

Topics such as tank registration, testing of underground tanks, reports of leaks or spills, and tank removal are included in the following town-specific guidelines. For more information specific to your town, please contact your town office.

Keeping Components Up to Code

MA Chapter 453 requires that all homeowners upgrade the oil line between their tank and burner if it’s in direct contact with a floor surface to avoid degradation. You can significantly enhance the safety of your oil heating system by replacing your oil feed line with a modern sleeved oil line. This is generally a quick and low-cost fix when performed by a licensed technician.

Thank you for taking the time to read this important information. If you have any questions about fuel storage tank safety, please call our office.  

 

Categories: Heating